Linked 52: Summer

I love summer.  Fall is actually my favorite season, but there is something so be said about summer.  I always feel so free.  :)

Neither one of my children know how to swim and they are fairly scared in water above their knees.  I want to get them in swimming lessons but know that I need to get them used to the water more so they don't have meltdowns when it's time to get in.  Heaven forbid, we should get our head wet.  Yes, that's what I deal with.  I've been taking them to the splash pad, the wading pool, the beach . . . you name it.  Here are my favorite summer (and water) themed photos for the week:

I know he is upset, but I still love it.

I caught this one with my phone at the wading pool.  Fun.

This was from this past weekend when we went to visit my dad.  He took them fishing for the first time.  :)

This was taken on the beach back home.  This might be my favorite photo of the summer so far.  :)


Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what summer is like to them:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Family

Family.
My idea of family is people that are there for you through thick and thin.  I have many family members by blood or marriage but I think it extends beyond that.  This topic has come up a lot recently in my life.

I was divorced last year.  I still have a decent relationship with my ex and with his family -- my family.  I still consider them my family too.  After being married for almost 9 years (together for 3 before that), I can't just abandon the relationships that I've formed.  I'm fortunate enough to have them still accept me as part of their family too.

This is the summer of traveling and the summer of family.  I took a vacation with my sister in May, road trip to visit my in-laws at the end of June, road trip today to visit my dad, and road trip in August to visit my cousin and her family.  Whew.  I love my family enough to spend my summer in the car to visit them.  :)

Taken in ND visiting my in-laws.  My new nephew.

Taken on my vacation with my sister.

Taken a couple of years ago at our family reunion.  My crazy family (dad's side).

It was taken at my dad's house.  Where we are headed to today.  Right on the lake.  I spend my holidays with about 50 % of these people.  They are a hoot.

Next vacation:  Chicago.  We were there already once this year visiting these lovely people.  My cousin and her family (plus a friend).

My little family.

Not trying to gloss over any of my other family.  You can read more about my mom here and my dad here.

Be sure to check out these other ladies to find out all about their families:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean

linked 52: Red, White, and Blue

This week was supposed to be easy, right?  It might have been easy had I actually participated in any 4th of July activities.  My kids were with their dad this year and we had just returned from a long weekend out of town so I took it easy.  I went to a friends house with a couple of other friends, did some crafting, watched some chick flicks, did some grilling, and a little socializing.  It was hot so I was inside most of the time but I snuck out for a few minutes to take a few pics of her flag out front.  I also pulled out some photos from Memorial Day that I thought fit the theme.  I can never choose just one.  :)

I hope everyone had a fun and safe holiday!

Be sure to check out these other ladies to see what's "red, white, and blue" in their lives:  Michelle, Stacey, Andrea, Tracey, Heather, Jenn, Jessica, Amanda, Kristin, Amanda, Sara, Tracy, Lesli, Janet, Naomi, Rhonda, Rose, Heidi, Kristi, and Jean